Worked as model for artist James Bama, who used him as the prototype
for "Doc Savage" in the cover illustrations for the novels in the '60s.
Not only used as the face of Doc Savage, but was the model for countless pulp detective novels and magazines for Dell publishing in the 60's and 70's. For a time was the most recognized male illustrated face in the industry.
According to Ron Lesser, well-known illustrator and movie poster artist (High Plains Drifter, Ryan's Daughter) "I used Steve Holland a lot; however, he was used so much by so many artists, that some publishing companies asked me not to use him.".